The Importance of Being Mindful When Mixing OTC Medications and Prescriptions

I want to share something the my Dr recently reminded me of. Maybe it will help someone else too. He told me to be careful when adding OTC medicine to my prescription medication regimen. As well as being mindful about using different types (gels or creams with tablets or capsules). For example: Dicloflenac gel (Voltaren) and Ibuprofen. Both are NSAIDS. Using them together poses a risk of exceeding the reccomended daily intake amount. I had not even considered that just because I am not swallowing it, that doesn't mean that I am not ingesting it into my bloodstream. No wonder my asthma was acting up. (For those of you that may not know: too much or long-term use of NSAIDS can worsen asthma symptoms, like chest pain/bronchial constriction and trouble taking deep breaths)